A recent study using data from NASA’s Curiosity Rover claims to have found evidence of a carbon-rich atmosphere on Mars billions of years ago. The discovery, which may shed light on the planet’s transition from a warm and wet state to its current cold and dry condition, suggests that sulfate layers on the Martian surface may have hidden iron carbonate minerals.
The findings challenge the existing theory of an insufficient carbonates in Martian soil, which has long been seen as evidence that Mars’ atmosphere was lost over time. The study’s lead author, Ben Tutolo, says that the discovery of siderite in the Martian topsoil represents a “surprising and important breakthrough” in understanding the geologic and atmospheric evolution of Mars.
According to Tutolo, the presence of highly soluble salts in the rocks and similar deposits mapped across much of Mars is thought to be evidence of the planet’s “great drying.” The discovery points to an imbalanced carbon cycle on Mars, where rocks and soil pulled more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere than they replenished, leading to a loss of atmospheric ability.
The findings have significant implications for our understanding of Mars’ habitability. Tutolo suggests that the sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere may have impacted Mars’ ability to stay warm, potentially leading to its current state of being cold and dry.
This breakthrough marks a major milestone in humanity’s understanding of Mars, with the puzzle of the planet’s ancient past slowly coming into focus.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/happened-mars-lost-atmosphere-clues-130000057.html